T5 ballast gurus

[DavidinGA]

I found an old ati/hep ballast I had used when I had a 6ft tank (ballast ran two 60" bulbs). Can I use this ballast to run two 48" t5 bulbs instead? I have a 4ft tank now and was thinking maybe I could use it...?

Thanks

 

[Big E]

No

 

[Koh23]

Maybe, probably.....

It all depends on ballast...

I ran 39w bulbs on 54w ballast, i ran 18w t8 on 23w ballast, i ran 24w t5 on 23w ballast, also on 36w....

On the other hand, with some ballast that are higher wattage than bulb i ran only white smoke ;)

So, maybe no is correct answer, if u dont mind burning two lamps, try....

 

[Rmckoy]

A new 54watt ballast are cheap
Enough with no need of experimenting .
It should say on the ballast which wiring configuration works for specific bulbs .

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

A new 54watt ballast are cheap
Enough with no need of experimenting .
It should say on the ballast which wiring configuration works for specific bulbs .

This. If it ain't rated for the wattage, then no.

 

[Rmckoy]

I have replaced my ballasts many times on my old 8 bulb fixture .
2 ballasts , each runs 4 bulbs 54watt 48”” bulbs
you can wire the same ballast for 2 or 4 bulb applications but being t5ho electronic ballasts , if they’re not 54 watt bulbs , I wouldn’t think it would work .

 

[DavidinGA]

A new 54watt ballast are cheap
Enough with no need of experimenting .
It should say on the ballast which wiring configuration works for specific bulbs .

I actually could not find an actual ati/hep brand 54w ballast for sale outside of a retro kit. Where are they cheap at?

 

[rtparty]

Home Depot used to carry spec T5 ballasts. I'm sure they still do but I haven't looked in ages